Centre Flags ‘Blood On Call’ Social Media Message As Fake

The Central government has issued a public advisory against a viral social media post that falsely claims the launch of a nationwide ‘Blood on Call’ service through helpline number 104.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB), which officially fact-checks government-related information, has labelled the widely shared message as fake and misleading.

A viral message circulating on WhatsApp and other platforms falsely claims that citizens can request blood by dialling 104, promising delivery within four hours and a 40-kilometre radius.

The message also falsely states that the service charges ₹450 per unit of blood and ₹100 for transportation.

The message urges users to forward it to their friends, relatives, and groups, claiming that ‘many lives can be saved’.

The PIB issued a fact-check alert refuting the claim. “The Government of India is not running any such scheme. This number is used for various helpline services in some states,” it clarified.

The 104 helpline operates in multiple states, offering support for general health inquiries, telemedicine, and COVID-19-related assistance.

However, authorities do not associate it with any centralised or state-run blood delivery programme.

Claim Dates Back To 2022

Fact-checkers traced the message back to 2022, even though it recently resurfaced.

Despite earlier clarifications, it continues to mislead the public and circulate on social media, prompting another round of warnings from official channels.

The government has urged the public to cross-check any claims related to public welfare services, particularly those involving healthcare, using credible sources such as official government websites and verified social media accounts.

“Spreading misinformation, even unintentionally, can cause public panic and misuse of critical health resources,” the PIB stated.

This incident is the latest in a series of misleading health-related messages circulated online.

From false claims about free government medicines to fake job notifications and vaccination scams, social media has often served as a vector for misinformation.

Officials reiterated the importance of scepticism, especially toward messages that sound ‘too good to be true’ or lack any reference to official government announcements.

In an age where digital information spreads rapidly, the Centre is taking a firm stand against health-related misinformation.

Authorities encourage citizens to rely solely on government-backed channels and to report dubious content through official grievance portals or social media reporting tools.

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